Stories from the City

Galentine’s Day at Fantasy Shop South County

Ladies Take Over the Comic Shop

Last night Fantasy Shop South County held a Ladies’ Night event, appropriately themed “Galentine’s Day.” (“What in the heck is Galentine’s Day?” you may ask yourself in confusion. I will say that you don’t watch enough teevee, then direct you here.)

The all-ages, ladies-only event was held from 6-10 p.m., after the store’s normal Sunday closing hour at 5 p.m. It featured store-wide discounts, lady vendors and writers, snacks and raffle prizes from publisher Lion Forge.

I was really pleased to run into several ladies I’ve met at other events, including local writer Caitlin Moriarity, and Lisa from Geekery Gal, whom I saw speak at a panel on women entrepreneurs at a SHE event last year. But mostly I was pleased to see a store full of women and girls of all ages, enjoying geeky things and each other’s company. Friends, partners, moms and daughters, all having a good time in the type of space that can too often feel as if it is not welcoming to women.

It’s always hard to get out of the house for any event in the dreary January/February months in St. Louis, but it was refreshing to be out and about with some very chilled-out and happy ladies getting their geek on in peace—totally worth it. Check out the photo gallery and vendor information below.

Photo Gallery

Vendors offered discounts for event attendees A best-selling Black Panther pendant from Geekery Gal Kaci Brennan helps customers at Fantasy Shop South County Shoppers speak to employee Kaci Brennan at the Galentine’s Day event Geekery Gal pendants for sale Offerings from Sew-it-All Creations Offerings from Sew-it-All Creations Fantasy Shop South County A customer shows off her purchase from Geekery Gal Attendees at Galentine’s Day at Fantasy Shop South County Customer checks out offerings from Geekery Gal Vendors offered discounts for event attendees Catie Deckmen helps customers Creature Type enamel pins Geekery Gal pendants Event attendee with Yoda backpack Shoppers get comfortable at this ladies-only event Kaci Brennan with customers at Fantasy Shop South County Attendees play games The store had Valentine themed snacks for attendees Creature Type greeting cards Black History Month display at Fantasy Shop South County Attendees enjoying Galentine’s Day event

Vendors

Ink and Drink Comics

I was introduced to a not-new-but-new-to-me local comics publisher, Ink and Drink Comics. Initially formed as a group of comic fans, they eventually formed a collective and began publishing their own work in semi-annual anthologies, all alcohol themed. You can check out and purchase their work at their online store.

Creature Type

I finally got a chance to meet Michelle Volansky, a local illustrator and owner of Creature Type. She’s the creator of the Boss Babes coloring book. She also has a variety of enamel pins, cards and prints available in her shop – check out her blog and work here. Also, lobby her to have another adult coloring book night, I missed the first one.

Caitlin Moriarity

Geekery Gal

Geekery Gal is the brainchild of Lisa Pavia-Higel, a local teacher who fell into jewelry making completely by accident. She makes comic and pop culture based jewelry, which she sells locally donating 10% of all sales to charity. She also designs custom pieces, so all you cosplayers out there who need the perfect piece to finish your costume, check out her website or Facebook page.

Lisa also makes a point to be inclusive in her offerings, focusing on creating pieces that feature women and minorities, audiences that are generally underserved in the merch market. If you have a special request she’s happy to oblige, shoot her a message!

Sew-it-All Creations

Sew-it-All Creations sells animal hats, original comics, and various other plush items at conventions and events. She wants her items to become “people’s favorite things.”

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Superheroines Etc. (SHE) is holding a “learn a game” night event at Game Nite, this Saturday (2/25/17). Learn more here.

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